Book Review — Plant Energy Medicine: The Guiding Voice and Healing Vibration of 58 Plants by Rhonda PallasDowney and Sandi O’Connor

Book Review — Plant Energy Medicine: The Guiding Voice and Healing Vibration of 58 Plants by Rhonda PallasDowney and Sandi O’Connor

Publisher: Healing Arts Press, a division of Inner Traditions International

320 Pages

Release Date: July 8, 2025

I feel like I’m super lucky to get to review some amazing books, particularly ones about nature, plants, herbalism, and other “green” magic-associated topics. This volume, which promises to explore a whopping 58 plants, is, unsurprisingly, very enticing to me.

The book starts with some beautifully moving song lyrics by Kate Watters, and a foreword by Rosemary Gladstar, of the Science and Art of Herbalism course. The introduction explores synchronicity and the early experiences of the authors and their connection with plants and the natural world.

With easy flow, this moves into part one of the book, Connecting Energetically with Plants. The authors explore the interconnectivity of plants and all living creatures, and how this has helped create a wealth of traditional medicine all over the world, in different cultures. There’s also an explanation of the energetic power of plants that connects it to quantum physics, which is fascinating to consider. There are many other references to scientific studies and exploration throughout the book, linking what we know about how plants perceive the world and even communicate to how we connect with them.

Part two explores the wisdom in plant readings, including how plants connect to chakras, how that connects to the vagus nerve and endocrine system, and detailed descriptions of plant correspondences for each chakra. However, it’s important to note that this book doesn’t just deal with the theoretical. It also contains detailed descriptions on how to do plant readings and gather daily insights from flower, plant, and tree wisdom. I was particularly drawn to the “spreads,” which work just like tarot or oracle card spreads, only using plants instead.

The third part of the book delves into the 58 plants promised on the front page, from “Aspen to Yucca.” There are primary associations, such as deep feelings or messages, but also detailed descriptions of the voice of each plant, possible insights, and associated affirmations.

The book is interspersed with bright, beautiful photos with clear captions, many showing different ways to connect to plants in action. As well as being gorgeously presented, this book is enthralling in a way that many herbals are not. It constantly refers back to science, as well as showing how well-versed the authors are in multiple esoteric practices. It’s a joy to read, highly informative, and useful for even experienced herbalists — and certainly an eye-opening read for anyone just stepping into the magical world of plants.

For me, this is a new way of looking at plants; not just their potential physical properties and folkloric, sympathetic magical attributes, but their intrinsic voice, energy, and personality. I shall be keeping this book on my shelf to refer to regularly, and I can see it becoming a new “go to” for my regular column, Notes from the Apothecary.

 

Rhona PallasDowney is an herbalist, author, spiritual facilitator, and teacher, and founded the Center for Plant Studies and Healing Arts. You can find out more about her work at the Center for Plant Studies website.

 

Sandi O’Connor is a fellow herbalist, flower essence practitioner, and plant medicine guide, based in Clarkdale, Arizona. She’s an avid student of flower and plant mythology, the doctrine of signatures, and plant symbolism.

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Review Author: Mabh Savage

Mabh Savage is a Pagan author, poet and musician, as well as a freelance journalist and content creator. She’s a nature-based witch, obsessed with Irish and British Paganism and Folklore, plus she’s a massive plant and bird nerd. She’s also a long-time Hekate devotee and a newbie Lokean. She works extensively with the UK Pagan Federation, including editing their bi-annual children’s magazine, Aether. Mabh is a passionate environmentalist and an advocate for inclusiveness and positive social transformation.

Mabh is the author of A Modern Celt: Seeking the Ancestors,  Pagan Portals – Celtic Witchcraft: Modern Witchcraft Meets Celtic Ways, and most recently, Practically Pagan: An Alternative Guide to Planet Friendly Living. Pre-order her upcoming book, The Magic of Birds, here. Search “Mabh Savage” on Spotify and @Mabherick on all socials.